Making old headlight lenses look new

[digitalandanalog]

I drive a 16 year old car and the factory headlight lenses are looking rather opaque these days.

The cost to replace them is more than I would like to pay (several hundreds of dollars for new ones ) and was hoping that at the bare minimum there could be a way to polish them up so that the are a lot more clear looking. I have no idea how much the plastic has yellowed, but I do know that 168,000 miles worth of scratches hasn't helped any.

Any advice?

[never_retreat]

I cleaned up a pair years ago but I can't remember what I used. You could try some fine cut compound. Or maybe a glazing compound. Just try a little spot first.

[robear]

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/how_to/4252611.html

[Nick1911]

I've used Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish to do this.  Takes some time, but the results are worth it.

[French G.]

I've used polishes like Mothers and liquid rouge before. I also buy micromesh kits as I am experienced in making aircraft canopies look new. So, if you can find a sandpaper greater than 2000 grit that would be a good start. Be sure to wet sand, dry sanding makes heat and more haze. Move up in grit if you can get the stuff, the kits go to 8000 grit but something like 6000 would be plenty. Finish with a polish or a not so aggressive rubbing compound.

[Marnoot]

The Wal-mart lube centers will polish them good-as-new for like $40 if you don't want to do the work yourself. I had them do one of our cars, and the lenses look like new.

[41magsnub]

I need to do this to my Toyota.

Rhetorical question since I know it is a style thing..  whatever happened to the sealed headlights like my GMC truck has?  This is never a problem, by the time the headlight starts getting scuffed after several years it is time to replace it for $30 anyway.

[HankB]

http://www.shop3m.com/60455033872.html?WT.mc_id=3MAAD

[Waitone]

Typically franchise outfits like lube shop, mufflers, etc have a package that will clean and polish lenses for a fee.  I've never priced it but it has to be cheaper than new lenses.

[Uncle Bubba]

Wal Mart sells a couple of kits from a company called Crystal View that contain all the necessary to refurbish your lenses - fine-grit sandpaper, finer-grit sandpaper, polishing paste, a hardener/sealer to apply after polishing, and wipes to use with the latter two. One kit you do the work with elbow grease, the other you do it with a drill. I saw them while working for Wally World but by the time I had a need for such a kit guess which one was sold out? Still, doing it by hand only took about 20-30 minutes and the lenses look as good as new.

[Brad Johnson]

Flitz + Elbow Grease = Clean lenses.

There's also a product out there made specifically to clean them. It's available at most auto stores, I just can't remember the name off the top of my head.

Brad

[digitalandanalog]

Flitz + Elbow Grease = Clean lenses.

I have used Flitz on my guns for years and I had considered it for a project of this type, but I wasn't sure that Poly plastics would do well with Flitz.

[Jamisjockey]

Polish with vaseline.  Rub it on, let it sit, rub it off.